Pyramids are heading into Saturday’s CAF Champions League final first leg against Mamelodi Sundowns with major concerns after confirming two key absences.
The Egyptian side will be without Nigerian forward Sadiq Egola, ruled out with a knee injury, and playmaker Mustafa Fathy, who is nursing a torn anterior muscle. The news comes as a setback for Croatian coach Krunoslav Jurcic, who is expected to turn to Ramadan Sobhi and Ibrahim Adel to fill the wide roles at Loftus Versfeld Stadium.
This marks Pyramids’ biggest challenge yet in their bid to lift a first-ever continental title. The return leg is scheduled for June 1 in Cairo at the Air Defence Stadium, where the club will hope home support can play a decisive role.
Historically, clashes with South African opposition have not favoured Pyramids. Out of six meetings with three different clubs, they have managed just one win. Notably, they were knocked out by Marumo Gallants in 2023 and fell to Sundowns earlier this season.
Their sole victory came against Orlando Pirates in the current campaign, winning 3-2 after a draw in the first leg.
